The Comfort of Nostalgia: Timeless Kitchen Design

TIMELESS KITCHEN DESIGN
Nostalgia triggers physical and sensory memories. It offers a sense of permanence and safety that we all seek in our fast-paced, ever-evolving lives. Think about the most treasured moment in your childhood home or a space that felt like home. It may be a memory of a person, a room, or even a meal that engages multiple senses.  These moments, forever imprinted on our canvas, hold the unique power of nostalgia. For many, the kitchen is remembered as the hub of the home and where nostalgia begins.

HomeThreads is passionate about authentic experiences and how they define our design journey. Modern, timeless design is often inspired by a sense of nostalgia. At the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), HomeThreads sponsored the new Luxury Lounge and curated an extraordinary panel of design experts to explore the unexpected role of the past in creating inviting modern spaces. Here, we share some highlights on design from a cultural, emotional and functional perspective.



The Comfort of Nostalgia: Creating Spaces You Love with Timeless Design 
Amanda Lauren, Design Expert, Forbes
Alison Victoria, President, Alison Victoria Interiors
Baron Davis, NBA All-Star and Entrepreneur, Azure
Orie Prince, Principal, Prince Design Studio



Profound Kitchen Memories
From top interior designers to a renowned NBA All-Star, memories of the kitchen conjure all the good feels.
“I’m looking forward to making memories with my daughter that I had with my mom …baking cookies, making dinner, all of it.” Amanda Lauren
“The kitchen for me, is a place of nourishment, love, ingredients, colors, family and vibrancy. The oven was always on, it always felt cozy.” Orie Prince
“We were always in the kitchen, it felt like home.” Alison Victoria
“Thanksgiving, dinners, pot roast. The kitchen is family and storytelling.” Baron Davis

Elements of a Timeless Kitchen
The kitchen is having even more of a design moment now. “There are kitchen spaces that feel less like a kitchen and more like a family room,” said Alison Victoria. The most important elements to consider in fundamental kitchen design are the cabinets, countertops and appliances. Alison referred to these as the heartscape of the kitchen, “the very expensive items that you don’t want to have to replace in ten years.” Kitchen cabinet colors can change with painting (always sand first!). Cabinet hardware is like jewelry and can be just as easily – and affordably – changed out. The kitchen backsplash tile, while a little more involved, can also be updated to incorporate a trend element.

Orie Prince recommends building a timeless foundation with “super-durable materials such as a leathered or honed countertop.” Incorporating elements of feng shui and nature into kitchen spaces encourages sustainability and an enduring workflow. Walnut cabinetry, for example, has immense texture and warmth that will elevate overall design while providing a solid and sustainable foundation.

Spatial planning is critical. Baron Davis recounted his grandmother’s resourceful use of space in a small apartment kitchen and advised, “When you think about design, start with functionality.” Consider your cooking and entertaining style and how much space you need for prepping, serving and gathering. “Your kitchen is something you want to build into,” explained Davis. Give yourself time to envision growing into the room. And don’t forget about storage. “Think about different ways to create storage for a clean aesthetic,” adds Davis.

Matching Trend to Timeless
The overarching question for most embarking on their kitchen design journey is how to create a space that feels current and timeless at once. As Alison clearly articulated, “the delicate dance between modern and traditional is transitional.” While there is no set formula, the marriage of mixed materials is balanced to create a true living space. Sleek lines emanate “modern” but you can soften the edges with accessories.  Additional warmth and tonality can be introduced with material, colors and textures to make a space more inviting.


Micro-Trend Moments
Design micro-trends are best regarded as tools to update your space. Davis advised, “Give yourself time to grow into a room, then micro-trends can be add-ons.” When you come across a micro-trend that resonates, play with the idea and carefully evaluate whether it can work to enhance your overall functionality and flow. For example, a slide-out island makes sense if you need additional counter, dining and storytelling space in your small- to medium-size kitchen.

Color and Lighting
A timeless, modern kitchen can be rooted in neutral colors without being boring. Bring nature inside with the use of woods and the color green. “Feng shui green is a color of vitality, creativity and abundance,” Prince explained. “Bringing in plants not only brings in color, but also oxygen and life.”

Alison is a huge proponent of kitchen accent lighting and encourages “layers of lighting.” A well-lit kitchen should have multiple layers for different lighting needs from prepping, cooking and navigating to setting a desired mood.



Timeless Kitchen Appliances
There is a time and a place for retro and trend but appliances are investment pieces. Appliances are always evolving so it’s important to know your innate style, what you appreciate and what you love. “Do not be fickle with very expensive items like appliances,” said Alison. If you value incredible craftsmanship, then a brand like La Cornue is one to seriously consider investing in for your kitchen range.

Open-Concept Cohesiveness
The open concept kitchen is not going anywhere, especially now that kitchens are feeling less utilitarian and more focused on gathering. While every footprint is different, approach an open concept kitchen with functionality in mind. The goal is to define the spaces within and make them feel cohesive yet separate at the same time. Whether using furniture, a statement lamp or a flower arrangement, Baron emphasizes that it’s about what kind of differentiation you can create. Alison Victoria articulated the benchmark with a perfect visceral comparison – “you still feel like you’re being hugged by that one room even though the walls are gone.”